Since 1996, well over 250 players and personalities have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Each year, a further six names join this illustrious cast, but only after their credentials are crossed examined by a committee of astute judges.
The criteria for selection is said to include a player's record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character.
Additionally, eligibility for enshrinement only begins after a player has hung their boots up for at least five years.
In the words of the AFL themselves, โtheir [the players] identities are always a hotly debated topic and a fiercely protected secret.โ
With the intention of removing this veil of secrecy, we here at Zero Hanger have cast our minds back to find the players most suitable for selection from 2015's retiring class.
As just over a handful of names are chosen each year, it is highly unlikely that all six of the names listed will be inducted this year, but as they each meet the benchmarks for selection, it seems inevitable that all will each be included in due time.
2. Paul Chapman
2000-2015 โ 280 games (Geelong and Essendon)
After being taken with the 31st pick of the 1999 Draft, Paul Chapman took a few years finding his feet at AFL level.
Although the hardnosed Cat only managed five games in his first two seasons in hoops, Chapman became a mainstay in both Geelong's midfield and forward line from 2002 onwards.
In a career that saw the former Calder Cannon retired with three flags, two All-Australian selections, a Carji Greeves Medal and a Norm Smith, Chapman also averaged a more than healthy 1.3 goals per game across his 16 seasons at senior level.
Although arguably one of the more underrated members of the Cat's contemporary golden era, Chapman's eventual enshrinement in the Hall of Fame would be an honour befitting his service to both Geelong and the game.
